News Events around the George Floyd protests and riots, US and beyond

[Gs172003]

As a former first responder at the local, state, and federal level along with serving out of country the cop was wrong plain and simple.

As for the protest if peaceful great, have at it the more the merrier. Many have died to give you that freedom respect it and them.

However the other junk and rioting, lock them up. They will stop after spending time in a 6’ x9’ cell in jail. No one has a right to insight violence In the name of “peace.”

There is a reason why all the violence is mainly contained to “gun free” cities. The rioters know you are mainly sheep and will not/can not defend yourself. My town has had none of the stupidity I see elsewhere for the simple fact that they will be killed breaking into a business. This is the way that person feeds their family and will defend it.

The violence is not in all gun free cities. I live in Louisville where broenna Taylor was killed. We are an open carry city. We had seven people shot during the first protest. The first weekend had tons of looting and rioting. This weekend hasn't been as bad.

 

[TruthSeeker]

This is one of the nightmares as a dispatcher because we usually catch some of the blame when the person gets their wish (gets shot by cop) because either we didn't get enough info in the 911 call to determine that was what they wanted. Or - the caller told us their person wanted suicide by cop and then, when they pull a gun on the cop and get shot in return, WE get told it was our fault because "we told you he was suicidal - why didn't you tell the officer?"

Ya hun, we told them exactly what you told us.....

The subject you are approaching is saying he is armed and wants SBC.

So be the cop and ask yourself:
If a person who said they were suicidal and wanted you to kill them pointed a gun at you - how long are you going to stand there and try to work those deescalation techniques you learned in your last training?

Because if you think they won't shoot you first --- your an idiot

Talk about a no win -- for any of us. Including the suicidal person.

We (911 and LE) bust our asses trying to deescalate situations. We use every trick of negotiation we have, make shit up as we go, do what ever we can to make sure everyone gets to go home that night.
But sometimes you just.cant.win.

I've succeeded in talking people out of pulling the trigger and I've failed and listened to them blow their heads off. I've talked to kids to keep them hidden while the cops try to take mom and dad into custody because they are going after each other with knives, guns, and whatnot. I've talked people into putting down their guns so they won't get shot by the cops and I've worked with the hostage negotiations guys while they spend HOURS trying to deescalate situations (I'm also the one who gets to call the spouse and tell them their cop is not coming home any time soon because, sorry it's little timmy's birthday but daddy is gonna have to stay at work and talk to the guy with the hostage - again).

My rant is to try to help people put it into context.
We do this Every.Day.
Thousands of times a year, over and over.
With every race, language, social group.

You never hear about it, you never care, because it's not important.
Its how you expect it to work
It doesn't matter until it goes wrong. Then suddenly it's all about racism and police brutality.

Do those things exist? Sadly yes
Does it need to be addressed? Yes.
Because it is beyond wrong.

But there are way more cops busting their asses every day for ALL Americans, regardless of race, than there are racist assholes who should have never been given a badge.

It's what makes me so nuts. People start bashing cops in general and completely forget that when you need them, they are there.
Ready to risk their lives for you.
And you won't even notice.

did I mention the young cop who went to help a woman escape from her abusive husband and got shot? The neighbors videotaped her bleeding out and laughed --telling her she deserved to die.
She did.
It made them happy

THIS is what they are ALL up against.
Every single day.

So how about a pause before you color them all with the same brush.

@Freida You are right. How situations are perceived and resulting reactions can either strive to make a situation better or reinforce old biases and hatred.....and perversity.....and just fuel it. In the eyes of any criminal....the policeman or policewoman is "the bad guy."
They are on the streets every day, being the bad guy, and put their lives on the line to keep people safe. Those people in the video who stood in front of the railing and refused to move were obstructing the police's ability to move throught traffic, egging the police in the cars, and that was done out of hatred......it had nothing to do "with the cause."

 

[Mee]

This is one of the nightmares as a dispatcher because we usually catch some of the blame when the person gets their wish (gets shot by cop) because either we didn't get enough info in the 911 call to determine that was what they wanted. Or - the caller told us their person wanted suicide by cop and then, when they pull a gun on the cop and get shot in return, WE get told it was our fault because "we told you he was suicidal - why didn't you tell the officer?"

Ya hun, we told them exactly what you told us.....

The subject you are approaching is saying he is armed and wants SBC.

So be the cop and ask yourself:
If a person who said they were suicidal and wanted you to kill them pointed a gun at you - how long are you going to stand there and try to work those deescalation techniques you learned in your last training?

Because if you think they won't shoot you first --- your an idiot

Talk about a no win -- for any of us. Including the suicidal person.

We (911 and LE) bust our asses trying to deescalate situations. We use every trick of negotiation we have, make shit up as we go, do what ever we can to make sure everyone gets to go home that night.
But sometimes you just.cant.win.

I've succeeded in talking people out of pulling the trigger and I've failed and listened to them blow their heads off. I've talked to kids to keep them hidden while the cops try to take mom and dad into custody because they are going after each other with knives, guns, and whatnot. I've talked people into putting down their guns so they won't get shot by the cops and I've worked with the hostage negotiations guys while they spend HOURS trying to deescalate situations (I'm also the one who gets to call the spouse and tell them their cop is not coming home any time soon because, sorry it's little timmy's birthday but daddy is gonna have to stay at work and talk to the guy with the hostage - again).

My rant is to try to help people put it into context.
We do this Every.Day.
Thousands of times a year, over and over.
With every race, language, social group.

You never hear about it, you never care, because it's not important.
Its how you expect it to work
It doesn't matter until it goes wrong. Then suddenly it's all about racism and police brutality.

Do those things exist? Sadly yes
Does it need to be addressed? Yes.
Because it is beyond wrong.

But there are way more cops busting their asses every day for ALL Americans, regardless of race, than there are racist assholes who should have never been given a badge.

It's what makes me so nuts. People start bashing cops in general and completely forget that when you need them, they are there.
Ready to risk their lives for you.
And you won't even notice.

did I mention the young cop who went to help a woman escape from her abusive husband and got shot? The neighbors videotaped her bleeding out and laughed --telling her she deserved to die.
She did.
It made them happy

THIS is what they are ALL up against.
Every single day.

So how about a pause before you color them all with the same brush.

I hear you.


I also hear that it’s the real lived experience of people experiencing this fear everyday .


I also know- from living with my dad and knowing some of colleagues - that fear and low expectation was my daily , every day , life expectation.

I think statistics bear out that there are problems and that isn’t denying the things you talk about - one could even suggest they reinforce problematic attitudes where they exist - and ambivalence where that is.

Also I asked but no one replied so I guess the answer is no but In case it was missed - has any one Watched 13th? It raised things I did not know and would be extremely concerning to me were I voting in USA

 

[Rose White]

All lives matter but can we talk about Black Lives today. All humans matter but can we talk about women today. All living things matter but can we talk children.

I think children will always be the least cared for and the most politicized. Women next. And black lives next. Black lives matter includes women and children because they are cared for the least. Black lives are an umbrella for women and children. In fact, now that I think about it the real statement is Black Men’s Lives Matter As Much As White Men’s.

Anyone who has been abused knows this sort of double talk.

Good point. There’s so much abusive talk being thrown around right now.

I know you are different. I am different.

This is self-awareness, right?

We are the same. it is like engulfment - total over take of black experience to the point of erasure. Black do not exist. Just experiences exist and we all have same experience.

Well said. “We all have the same experience,” that’s culture, right? White men’s culture is conservative viewpoint? Conservatives in every culture believe that everyone aspires to be like them, sort of a “universal striving”.

America is like a marriage of codependent and narcissistic couple. There is no solution.

I agree about the marriage metaphor but not that there is no solution. I have noticed that when my ego says no solution she is lacking creativity.

Did anyone on this site ever felt projection of fear or threat...and what did you do? Did you protest and said NO! or did you fall into deep helplessness... I am not putting up with that.

I hadn’t considered about “projection of fear or threat”. As I recall, I haven’t been able to hand it completely back to them. But my reaction to someone’s anger or passive aggression is often a mix of acknowledgement, retreat and reflection. It is uncomfortable.

they definitely also project their empathy to the blacks and that is depleting and dangerous. and it is almost like I hate black people

I don’t understand. What do you mean “project their empathy to the blacks and that is depleting and dangerous”?

My rant is to try to help people put it into context.
We do this Every.Day.
Thousands of times a year, over and over.
With every race, language, social group.

You never hear about it, you never care, because it's not important.
Its how you expect it to work

Thank you. Thank you. Bias illuminated.
“You never hear about it, you never care. It’s how you expect it to work.” *thud*

Stores and businesses have been boarding up doors and windows all week.

Now I understand why the DC cathedral had boards on it for that bible picture. Oof. I am so slow. I forgive myself.

Riot- a violent disturbance of the peace by a crowd.

I agree with “violent disturbance of the peace” part, but who is “the crowd”? There are various groups of people in the crowd, various organizations.

Who is organizing the disturbances matters. It is not random. Some people have ideas about who might be organizing the looting and rioting. The ideas vary widely depending on how racist or how informed the person is. This narrative is what is being blasted into our minds. How we think about the riots affects how we vote and interact with our community.

 

[Sideways]

Ready to risk their lives for you.
And you won't even notice.

This part here? I think is where your posts start falling into cognitive distortion territory.

People protesting George Floyd's death, and calling for change, calling out racism? Is not an indication that people across the US don't GAF about the fact that cops go out and put their lives on the line to keep people safe every day of the week. That you can, anytime, simply call 911 and expect help.

I appreciate that may be your personal experience, but your personal experience comes from a very specific set of personal lived, deeply traumatic experiences.

Idk. I haven't done a headcount. But my guess is the vast majority of the population have a deep respect for what cops do for their community.

There's a strong assumption in your posts that people don't appreciate police, and first responders generally, and what they do, what they experience, what they put up with.

I'm not sure that assumption is accurate. For a small majority? Sure. But I think most people have a very deep respect for police and first responders and what they do. Do they understand just how tough it is? Nup, no clue.

But respect them and appreciate it deeply? Absolutely.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

when you need them, they are there.
Ready to risk their lives for you.
And you won't even notice.

I notice. And I thank them every single time I get a chance. I get pulled over. I am respectful. I say "yes sir", "no sir", "yes ma'am", "no ma'am". And I thank them, even after getting a speeding (or whatever) ticket. Hoping that they notice that it's for the job they do cause I recongize how hard that is and what they are sacrificing.

I am saddned when all cops get painted in a bad light, cause that happens. And people go after all cops. Cause that happens too. My ex hated cops. He would roll down his car window and scream "pig" as loud as he could when he saw a cop. I would refuse to ride in the car with him because he'd do that and I found it repulsive. So much that I couldnt stomach riding in the car with him. But that's a select minority of people. I am with @Sideways on this, that most recongize and appreciate the job they do and the sacrifices they make. And many, like myself, ensure to thank them as much as possible even when we are the one penalized.

Maybe this thread could be triggering for you? But this convo is important as this topic is important. We need to be weeding out these cops that have such bad racisit thoughts that they treat black people different then they treat white people. That happens and that is what need to stop. I don't think anyone here is saying all cops are bad or all cops are like that. I think most recongise, and are saying, that that's also a minority select few. But, that said, cops have a power dynamic. They have power over you. So should they not be held to a higher standard? That's the conversation. And it's a very important one to discuss. In a civil mannor.

With your experience, why did George Floyd die? Why was he even arrested? I would love to understand this from a LEO type of experience.

 

[Rose White]

About speaking in generalizations... I want to state a position because I’m learning about this and trying my best to understand.

I noticed that when someone is processing their own experiences with a situation they use generalizations.

Example is saying, “White people expect black people to just get over 400 years of discrimination.”

A response that says, “Not all white people...” is considered inappropriate. Why? Because in the original statement there is an implication that the phrase “white people” actually means “racist white people” and the person making the statement is venting their anger, not stating a fact.

Similarly if a woman victim of sexual violence says, “Men are inherently violent,” to reply with “Not all men...” would discount her grief.

If a person is grieving trauma, when they make generalizations it can be expected that the generalizations are helping them acknowledge and process the trauma. And so to be present with them is to accept their black and white statements and think, “That’s what they say now,” rather than try to influence their rational mind.

On the other hand, if a person is a leader or scholar and uses generalizations in their statements (no we don’t know anyone like that at all *eyeroll*) then we need to apply sharp criticism.

Did I get that right?

I made generalizations in my post based on my own biases. I see them upon reflection but I’m not going to beat myself up over it because I was emotional and trying to probe these sticky and complicated issues.

One thing I would like to make clear is that I believe that BLM is especially good for women and children too, despite the fact that the focus is on black men who are victims of violence. When the asshat perpetrators are forced recognize and control their own angry reactions it benefits all minorities.

 

[Neverthesame]

I do believes equality is possible........ but not if the method to gain attention is segregatory.

Oh thank God, I was starting to think I was the last person left on earth that could see this.

 

[whiteraven]

Also I asked but no one replied so I guess the answer is no but In case it was missed - has any one Watched 13th? It raised things I did not know and would be extremely concerning to me were I voting in USA

I haven't yet, but it is on my list to watch. Thanks for the recommendation!

I noticed that when someone is processing their own experiences with a situation they use generalizations.

Example is saying, “White people expect black people to just get over 400 years of discrimination.”

A response that says, “Not all white people...” is considered inappropriate. Why? Because in the original statement there is an implication that the phrase “white people” actually means “racist white people” and the person making the statement is venting their anger, not stating a fact.

I'm actually not sure you can assume that "racist white people" is what is meant by that statement. I know people who believe it is ALL. Countering with "Not all white people" is not helpful, I agree.

If a person is grieving trauma, when they make generalizations it can be expected that the generalizations are helping them acknowledge and process the trauma. And so to be present with them is to accept their black and white statements and think, “That’s what they say now,” rather than try to influence their rational mind.

I hear what you're saying here, but I still have a huge problem with generalizations. What about the white people who say "black people are Xyz"? It's completely unacceptable and usually not coming from a perspective of "trauma."

I think what I find most disturbing is the perceived inappropriateness of asking questions or asking for clarification of something. It has gotten to the point where it's very clearly "our side or theirs" and if you aren't on "ours" you must be on "theirs."

 

[TruthSeeker]

When the asshat perpetrators are forced recognize and control their own angry reactions it benefits all minorities.

You are right.....but I go one step further, not only does it benefit minorities, it benefits all of society.....whether directly or indirectly.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Oh thank God, I was starting to think I was the last person left on earth that could see this.

Thanks for your post....I was starting to think the same.

 

[Sideways]

the generalizations are helping them acknowledge and process the trauma. And so to be present with them is to accept their black and white statements and think, “That’s what they say now,” rather than try to influence their rational mind.

I personally disagree with this.

It isn't helpful for me processing my trauma, and achieving a degree of post traumatic growth, for people to just hug me and nod if I say, "Men are misogynistic rapists". Or more relevantly in this thread, "Cops are racist bigots".

Because they aren't. And that's a really dysfunctional way for me to participate in the discussion, and proceed in the world. It doesn't invalidate my traumatic experience to point out that bias - it helps me reset my skewed perspective. Indeed, it might alert me to a skewed perspective that I didn't even realise I had.

It also creates a difficult space for the people around me to have a balanced and productive conversation if I bring trauma-biased black/white, all/nothing statements into an open discussion about an issue that isn't about me and my personal traumatic experience.

When I'm bringing my personal trauma bias into a conversation that isn't about me and my trauma, it's both helpful and healthy for someone to tap me on the shoulder and say, "Yo, Sideways, maybe you're thinking isn't totally straight on this issue right now". JMHO.